Boy, that's a loaded question sometimes. For military kids, preacher's kids, or anyone else who had to move a lot growing up, there may not be an easy answer. Instead, the question launches a long dialogue of personal narrative and geography; one that can be painful, or maybe you just don't want to share it with someone you just met!

It can be a complicated discussion for many reasons. Often, that question bears the thinly veiled implication that "you clearly aren't from here..." In other words, you aren't one of us, are you? Some difference in skin color, language, culture or dialect has set this person apart in the eye of the questioner. This is how we define 'other,' isn't it? You're either one of us, or you aren't. Either you're from these parts... or you ain't. (Pro-tip: using "ain't" un-ironically is one sure way to get asked where you are from. Believe me.)

This Sunday, we pick up where we left off with the story of Jesus on trial. In this week's passage, Pilate asks Jesus, "where are you from?" And let the games begin. That's a dangerous questions, as so many of us know. Loaded with history, identity, geography and belonging. So how does Jesus answer?

He doesn't.

It is a loaded question, after all.

Join us for worship and we'll talk about where we're from--geographically, culturally, philosophically--and why it matters. We'll also continue the conversation about what it means to be "people of place." Where we come from is important. But maybe what's even more important is the tribe we assemble along the way; the people we show up to love and serve every day, and the people with whom we choose to share this life of common faith.

See you Sunday,
Erin
Rev. Erin Wathen, Senior Pastor

Also this Sunday: • Adult Education: 9:30 am in Friends Hall - more info on the ADULT EDUCATION page. • Women's Retreat Registration: Registration forms available in the Hearth Room.